How to Tumble Beach Rocks to a Great Shine

[@reubenj.cogburn8546]

And this is what I get when I search for Cleveland rocks? Just kidding, love everyone of your uploads. Born and raised walking the shores of the Great lakes myself. A thing that makes this magic for me, is there are still secrets and treasures to be found in this world.

[@MichiganRocks]

You never know what strange rocks you might find on a Great Lakes beach. I think that's what keeps me going back. Do you like the original version of "Cleveland Rocks" or the Presidents of the United States of America version better? I love the Presidents of the United States of America, so I like that version best.

[@reubenj.cogburn8546]

@@MichiganRocks PTOTUSOA has prettier rocks, no question.

[@debiyounce3210]

i got ta say i learn more about rocks from your videos than any book i have tried to learn from. The books are fine but you have a easy presentation that turns on the little light bulb in my brain. Oh and I hope you enjoyed the game....my husband Rob is still on cloud nine.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm glad they're working out for you. It's nice to hear that these things actually do what I plan for them to do. I'm not a sport ball fan, so I was out putting up way too many Christmas decorations during the game. Nancy, on the other hand, is in a much better mood tonight than she would have been if the game had gone the other way.

[@mattgohlke8216]

This guy is just the best.

[@yaimamartinez9576]

Never tired of how different they look after tumbling, so many new colors and patterns emerged. 😁👌

[@MichiganRocks]

I feel the same way. That's why I keep doing this.

[@justjulee9135]

I really love these tumbling videos. It helps me hone my skills because I've only been tumbling about 9 months. They turned out really well! Great video!

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm glad they're helpful.

[@Indyanas_ocean_view]

Those rocks look really nice and shiny! The quartz at 24:41 was my favorite.😍🥰😇👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@sujohnson1989]

Thank you for the slide show! The ugliest rocks turned out to be beautiful! I have some pretty rocks and now encouraged to buy a tumbler.

[@MichiganRocks]

I think you’ll have fun with a tumbler, Su.

[@teresacarter8593]

I can’t wait,I’ve just got a rock tumble to put my beach rocks in ,great video thank you so much 🇬🇧

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome.

[@ginabernard3626]

'Yeah Toast!' is one of the best songs of all time...pure comedy/music genius!

[@MichiganRocks]

If you ever get a chance to see Heywood in concert, do it. I don't know if I've ever laughed so hard.

[@bobmcbob4399]

Really can sit through hours of your presentation style. I guess your teaching days really honed your speaking/presenting skills for this activity. Anyhow, rock on!

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks, Bob!

[@justlucky13]

Thanks for this video series I walk my dog on the beach Oregon coast everyday find a lot of agates and jasper and was gifted wife and our daughters gave me a NG tumbler and lots of extra grits and it will stay new in the box!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MichiganRocks]

You're not going to use it? Are you going to return it and buy something different?

[@dkhillerud]

Great video, your content is the best I’ve found on tumbling!

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@angef9687]

Love your tutorial videos Rob! My kids (mostly me) are hoping Santa brings us a tumbler for Christmas as our rock collection is ever growing and we're itching to do something with them. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

[@MichiganRocks]

That would be a great gift for your family then. It's so much more fun to pick them up thinking about what they might become later.

[@davidhile5363]

I hope Santa’s paying attention. It’s great fun !!!

[@markreetz1001]

What a great run through on tumbling! My favorite was the "Yeah, Toast!" shirt! Ooh! Another food reference! Great vid Rob!

[@MichiganRocks]

My daughter and I saw Heywood live a few years ago and bought shirts. Allison and David just saw him again a couple weeks ago. I was a little jealous.

[@dannileemeow]

I understand your shirt reference! I sing that song almost every time I make toast =)

[@MichiganRocks]

I'd have to sing it almost every morning then. It's a great song, but that would be a lot.

[@dannileemeow]

@@MichiganRocks Oh wow. Yes I do not eat toast that often =)

[@MichiganRocks]

@@dannileemeow My sister gave me her bread recipe about a year ago and I make homemade bread all the time now. That's my breakfast almost every day.

[@davidhile5363]

Hopefully this will help folks who have purchased National Geographic tumblers produce shiny rocks. Patience and thorough rinsing are of the utmost importance. Yeah Toast !!!

[@MichiganRocks]

I figured that both tumbling beach rocks and the National Geographic tumbler are both popular, so this might be perfect for some people.

[@marisadaniela6]

Ain't this convenient! I have a giant collection from Lakes Huron and Michigan, and a Nat Geo tumbler (maybe Discovery brand? I don't remember) But the directions provided didn't go how I expected the first go round. Eager to learn! Thanks a million for posting this!

[@MichiganRocks]

I posted it just for you, Marisa!

[@ne8r]

The first time I heard Heywood Banks say, "French Toast" I was in tears laughing. Great T-shirt Rob.

[@MichiganRocks]

If you ever get a chance to see him live, I'd recommend it. What a great show.

[@shewearsfunnyhat]

All of my rocks come from the Oregon coast. I have found some great agates and jasper. This video is do helpful thank you.

[@MichiganRocks]

Good luck. I prefer slower tumblers, but this one gets the job done.

[@NickyProniewicz]

some of those before and afters are wild. that green rock is stunning

[@MichiganRocks]

I wish it didn't take so darn long to do the before and after shots because they are pretty amazing.

[@Sendish8049]

Nice tip of the cap to Haywood Banks. Loved him on the Bob and Tom show back in the day. French toast!

[@MichiganRocks]

My daughter and I saw Heywood live. She saw him again recently. If you ever get a chance to see him, take it!

[@DanielAdams23-j5c]

Hi, Daniel here. Sometimes I find some good rocks to tumble, sometimes I don't. This help alot when I'm tumbling beach rocks. Thanks for the tutorial! Also, I found some beach jaspers, chert, smoky quartz rocks (smokies), and onyxes. Onyx is an opaque, black type of agate if your wondering.

[@MichiganRocks]

I have never tumbled onyx, but I should one of these days.

[@DanielAdams23-j5c]

​@MichiganRocks We do get those along our shoreline, but they show up every now and then. And found plenty of smokies along our rock wall and the shoreline.

[@stuartcook9030]

Day one with this tumbler went straight to tumbling my local beach rocks hopefully these tutorials help me get good results

[@MichiganRocks]

I hope so too!

[@cazkiwinz4300]

And? What happened?

[@berjo77]

My second time reviewing this, wasn’t taking notes the first time. Good thing, I’ve been using two Tablespoons at each load, will bump that to three. I’ve not paid attention but don’t think my rocks have dried between stages. I will be more vigilant. Most importantly, I’ve used too little ceramics. That will be corrected as well. Great job, you are turning out keepers with every cycle! Thanks for your efforts.

[@MichiganRocks]

You don't have to worry too much about letting the rocks dry between stages as long as you keep moving. You just don't want to let them set there too long so the cracks dry out. I'm glad you're learning stuff from these videos. I love seeing people have success so that they can get as much enjoyment out of this as I have.

[@berjo77]

@@MichiganRocks , very much so. My wife is my full on rock-picking partner, skips the whole tumbling part, but LOVES the results. Thanks from the both of us!

[@MichiganRocks]

@@berjo77 You're welcome!

[@margaretlynch1494]

Wow! So exciting to see all the steps with out having to wait. The episode image gorgeous! The before and after shots ROCK! Pun initially unintended.LOL!

[@MichiganRocks]

I’m glad you liked it so much.

[@mctron22rd]

I love that shirt! Yeah Toast! Cool song and awesome video Rob!

[@MichiganRocks]

My daughter and I saw Heywood Banks live once. It was a really fun show. He's from Michigan!

[@wyomingadventures]

Before and after sideshows are awesome!!!

[@rebeccaofsunnybrookefarm8469]

Thanks Rob I appreciate your guidance on this tumbler. I bought one for the grandchildren but we have not used it as we don't want to beat up our rocks.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'd go ahead and use it. Throw in enough ceramics and the rocks should be ok.

[@donbender9414]

Love the "Yeah Toast" t-shirt! Heywood's one of the funniest guys I've ever seen! Great video, thanks!

[@MichiganRocks]

My daughter and I saw him live. It was a great show. I don't think I've ever laughed that much before or after.

[@kathleencunningham6242]

I met Haywood Banks several times. He is an interesting nice guy. I worked at the Funnybone Comedy Club for over 10yrs.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@kathleencunningham6242 I loved that he came out and greeted his fans after the show. We have a great picture with him.

[@aarondrake6409]

Have a bunch of beach rocks and got the NatGeo tumbler, but have been waiting to do anything because wasn't sure about separating by hardness. Thanks for clarifying and now finally have the courage to start tumbling. Thank you from the south end of the lake.

[@MichiganRocks]

You’re welcome. I was on the beach at the south end a couple days ago.

[@deblowell8107]

Love the Heyward Banks shirt! 👍 video is interesting as well. Ty for that.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm surprised how many people know who Heywood is. My daughter and I saw him live in Cheboygan.

[@patriciamckean4186]

Seen this many times on TV, watching on phone now so I can comment and give you a 👍.

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks, Patricia.

[@kelcritcarroll]

Its amazing how beautiful rocks look after being tumbled….i picked up a few handfuls of stones that I thought were prettynwhen wet…just a normal stone or rock laying about and tumbled them and four weeks later they looked like jewels to me…..just amazing😊im from Michigan too!

[@MichiganRocks]

That's the goal, to make the rocks look wet even when they're dry. Tumbling can bring out the color of wet rocks.

[@Leppahcetssalc]

Thank you for the step by step process! Very helpful.

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome! I know a lot of people who think that they can skip steps because they're tumbling beach rocks, so I thought I'd make a video about it.

[@Dcvmnaturalist]

I don’t know a lot about geology, but I’ve been enjoying your videos recently. Good stuff!

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't know much about geology either, but I enjoy making things out of rocks. Tumbling is the area that I'm stronger in.

[@oldgamerchick]

Love your videos on this tumbler as I am thinking of getting one.

[@MichiganRocks]

It's not perfect. I'd actually consider a Lortone 3A or 33B. I have links to my two favorite lapidary stores in the description.

[@dunny3032]

Awesome video. Really appreciate how you go into fine fine detail. Also love the YEAH TOAST tee. Really brought me back to high school in the 90s. Rock on!!!!

[@MichiganRocks]

My daughter and I saw Heywood live maybe five years ago. She and her husband just saw him a few months ago. He's still around and funny as ever.

[@nicolagraynewzealandrockho8976]

Really like the rock tumbling videos, I learn so much. I finally have my big tumbler up and running with 5 barrels on it. I actually started them with 220 grit because the stones were so smooth. I have run out of 80 grit Always learn lots from you. I'm tumbling beautiful stones from Slopepoint new zealand

[@MichiganRocks]

A five barrel tumbler is a fun thing to have. You'll be cranking out more polished rocks than you know what to do with.

[@nicolagraynewzealandrockho8976]

@@MichiganRocks its the coolest tumbler. My hubby built it for me. I'll put a video on my little channel so you can see it, it's amazing. It's got some really cool stuff in it. One of the barrels is 14 pound.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@nicolagraynewzealandrockho8976 He must really love you!

[@nicolagraynewzealandrockho8976]

@@MichiganRocks he built me one because I told him I was going to buy a brand new one 😂😂😂😂 but yes he loves me too 😊😂😂

[@MichiganRocks]

@@nicolagraynewzealandrockho8976 Either way, you got a nice, big tumbler!

[@wyomingadventures]

I'm about ready to start my first batch in my new Lortone. I'm going to fellow your tumbling videos. I ordered mixed rocks and some kind of red agate from Africa to try first. I got my rocks from the Rock Shed. Really appreciate your how to tumble videos!

[@MichiganRocks]

Good luck!

[@peteraphotography]

Just got this tumbler and my 8 year old is on day 3 of his first batch. We will follow your advice and see how they come out. Our rocks are from the beach in Ventura, CA.

[@MichiganRocks]

Good luck. Make sure you have some decent polish. The stuff that comes with this tumbler will not make your rocks shine.

[@peteraphotography]

@@MichiganRocks yes! We took your recommendation of aluminum polish and have some on the way. Already switched stage 1 grit after 3 days. My mom has been wanting to get into tumbling and told us about your channel, she’s watched every video 😊 Now my son and I are obsessed with hunting rocks on the beach and after the recent rain storms out here the beaches are covered in rocks.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@peteraphotography That's great, it sounds like you guys are having lots of fun with this.

[@StephenandYhana]

This tutorial was incredible, loved the video and I have learnt lots from it. Recently bought a National Geographic Tumbler, so a big thank you for the tips 😊

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome, I'm glad I could help out!

[@joshuajones6113]

Loved the slide show. I appreciate that you took the time to line them up perfectly. So cool!

[@MichiganRocks]

Yeah, it takes a long time to make before and after slide shows like that, but the results are pretty cool. I’m glad you appreciate them!

[@coffeebeforemascara]

Much appreciation yes! Such attention to detail makes it so easy to understand exactly what you are explaining. 💜

[@corteltube]

Love the before and afters.

[@dally8399]

Love the variety of rocks

[@bearlsbce]

I'm super interested in getting into this hobby. I found a bunch of neat rocks at my current job site and ordered a National Geographic tumbler which will arrive tomorrow. I'm going to use your videos as a guide.

[@MichiganRocks]

You should watch this one too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaS3lGShjbqohtE

[@bearlsbce]

@@MichiganRocks I will, thank you!

[@sparband]

They came out great. I love all of the t shirt changes. I hope that you and Nancy had a nice Thanksgiving. I bet that your grandson, Joseph is getting big now.

[@MichiganRocks]

I thought it was better to change my shirt occasionally. My wife appreciates that too. Joseph is definitely growing and getting more smily all the time. We're going to see him again soon.

[@jeffholmes1362]

Great job, looking forward to getting back into it, now I live near an area that has lots of nice hard rocks.

[@MichiganRocks]

You should, it's a fun hobby.

[@TracyWalton-m1p]

Absolutely loved this video. 😍

[@irisrodriguez682]

Hi 👋🏽 Really beautiful rocks. Love it 😊

[@MichiganRocks]

Glad you liked it, Iris.

[@aliencat11]

Rob, hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving. Enjoyed the video.

[@MichiganRocks]

We had a great Thanksgiving. We didn't get together with the extended family last year, so it was a special treat to do so this year.

[@aliencat11]

@@MichiganRocks much moreto be Thankful this year!

[@carmenevans7651]

The T shirt fashion show was an unexpected bonus. I thought rock tumbling was just a simple, fast process. Learn something new everyday.

[@MichiganRocks]

Simple, yes, fast, not so much. This tumbler is way faster than most, but that's also what I don't like about it.

[@ryankullar9754]

Great video just wondering if u have a start 2 Finnish video on how to use a vibrator tumbler for a beginner thxs

[@MichiganRocks]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaTVnqOGj9d0q7c

[@ryankullar9754]

@@MichiganRocks thxs 4 the reply and the link 2 your video

[@ryankullar9754]

@@MichiganRocks what rotary tumbler would u recommend for the beginner that won't break the bank? Thxs

[@MichiganRocks]

I like Lortone tumblers. They're hard to find right now, but Kingsley North and the Rock Shed get them in, just not as often as they would like, I have links for both places in the description. I really like the 33B as a first tumbler.

[@craftykat]

These are so gorgeous! I definitely have to get a rock tumbler. I have so many pretty stones to choose from out at our camp on Lake Superior.

[@MichiganRocks]

Lake Superior is my favorite place to get rocks for tumbling. I agree, get a tumbler!

[@paigelee6321]

Nice rocks love the shine on them 😊💙, thank you for sharing

[@markattardo]

Interesting results. Thanks for another good vid!

[@MichiganRocks]

I thought they turned out really well considering how fast that thing turns.

[@markattardo]

@@MichiganRocks Extremely good results on the stones that took a polish. I tried a Nat Geo (NG?) tumbler on crushed rock...I returned it. I hoped it would speed up initial smoothing and shaping but it had quality issues. I opted out of a replacement thinking I would get an elusive single barrel 6 pound machine. That's on the back burner for now..

[@MichiganRocks]

@@markattardo Have you considered a Lortone QT66? That's a pretty nice machine.

[@markattardo]

@@MichiganRocks I was leaning towards the QT6. I want a larger barrel for larger rocks more than quantity. Finding one in stock or used locally has produced zero results. The last time I checked, my local rock shop hasn't been able to get anything for a while.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@markattardo Try Kingsley North or the Rock Shed. They're getting them in, but just not as often as they should. I'd send one of them an email and ask them to let you know when they get one. If you want to do bigger rocks, you should also consider the QT12. The six pound barrel isn't any taller than the three pound barrel. You can definitely fit bigger rocks in, but the 12 pound barrel gives rocks even more room to move around.

[@sergeboivin566]

I am very impressed with the shine you've gotten out of those beach rocks! I'm glad you haven't given up on the Nat Geo Pro! It's a very good first stage tumbler :-)

[@MichiganRocks]

I still prefer to do the first stage in my slower tumblers. Maybe I should try a few more batches in the Nat Geo though.

[@rachelgremillion4816]

another great video! Also, love the yeah toast shirt. Haven't thought about that video in a long time--my mom found it when my younger brother (who is now 21) was in cub scouts hahaha

[@MichiganRocks]

My daughter and I saw Heywood Banks live. What a great show.

[@99Rockhounding]

I've thought about getting one of these just because of how fast it does the first stage. It probably wouldn't really be good for any of the rocks I have around here like quartz(fractures easy), agates(fractures easy), jasper( sometimes fractures easy), binghamite(fractures easy)... The rocks around here tend to fracture easily I guess.

[@MichiganRocks]

yeah, I wouldn't suggest it for your fragile Minnesota rocks.

[@jonathanyoung7785]

If you fill it about 90% full and run about 5 days per coarse cycle I don't see any damage caused by the speed. They obviously don't tumble in the normal way when filled that full, but you wouldn't know the difference by looking at the results. The alternatives are a thick slurry or a lot of ceramics in all stages.

[@pochito1113]

Hola como estas, me gusatria por favor, si tienes tiempo me respondas si para una piedra en cabujon de dureza 5 Mohs, se puede pulir con este metodo y cual seria el tipo de ceramica o polvo o sicilio o algun otro componente para usar ... MUCHAS GRACIAS - Hello, how are you? I would like you, please, if you have time, tell me if for a cabochon stone with a hardness of 5 Mohs, it can be polished with this method and what would be the type of ceramic or powder or silicon or some other component to use .. . THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@karenearly-horne8210]

I really enjoy your videos thank you

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks, Karen!

[@kimfrommn7162]

I really learn a lot from your videos!! That is good!! 🤣 Thanks sooo much for doing these videos for all of us!!! 🤗❤️🙏🏼🎄

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome, Kim.

[@saaamember97]

Dang ..... I'm sure glad I bought a vibratory tumbler! It seems that a rotary tumbler takes excess amounts of grit and time, which equates to $$$$. I can do a whole batch of rocks on my Thumler's Ultra-Vibe 18 in seven to ten days (Only three grit stages), and I never have to keep adding grit ..... Only water. Stage 1: Four days with 120/220 grit. Stage 2: Four days with 500 grit pre-polish. Stage 3: Two to three days with Micro-Alumina polish. BTW, fantastic video!

[@MichiganRocks]

I have a Lot-O vibratory tumbler that I use to finish most of my rocks. I do like to do the first stage in a rotary though because you can't make the rocks super smooth and remove the holes with a vibratory tumbler. If you like the rocks more naturally shaped, then a vibe is the perfect tool. You're right about using way less grit too. For my 500 and polish stages, I only use 1/2 teaspoon.

[@CityRockhounding]

Loved this video. Really helpful and great tips and tricks. Thanks Rob, I appreciate your work and time into it!

[@MichiganRocks]

Glad to help, Nicolas.

[@mikek4443]

I absolutely love your videos, I wanted to tumble rocks since childhood and finally at 62 my wife bought me this exact tumbler so I am thankful for your channel, what is your thought on plastic media for tumbling later for the polish I do not see you using that.

[@MichiganRocks]

You can get a good polish using plastic media, but I kind of hate the stuff. You have to have dedicated plastic pellets for each stage which means that you have too remove the rocks from the plastic at each stage. That's a real pain. You would think that the fact that plastic floats and rocks do not would make it easier to separate them, but it really doesn't help much. I also find it more difficult to get a good shine using plastic than ceramics, although other people swear by plastic. Here's a video showing a batch done in plastic if that's what you already have: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5-xp6ytrN-nqJo

[@mikek4443]

@@MichiganRocks thank you very much

[@troyconnolly3027]

My son and I have just started into tumbling rocks and our first batch is about a week or so from being finished. Where do you purchase your grits and polish’s from? Love the videos and they are full of great info. Keep them coming.

[@MichiganRocks]

I buy most of my grits from The Rock Shed. I buy more coarse grit than anything else and I get that at Kingsley North because they have the cheapest bulk price. I haven't tried Kingsley North's polish yet though. There are links to both places in the description of this video and the Rock Shed's products are also in my Amazon storefront.

[@troyconnolly3027]

@@MichiganRocks thank you I will def check that out.

[@LadyYoop]

Gorgeousness!

[@LadyYoop]

Such incredible beauty!

[@GREEKEXPLORERS]

Amazing video, congratulations and thank you for sharing it with us!!

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome!

[@jeffduce4859]

We bought the Nat Geo tumbler for my son before we saw these videos. We have got pretty good results, but I think we also see the effects of the high speed. I just 3D printed a new larger wheel and got the speed down to about 39RPM. If you are interested, I could send you one to test out. I haven't ran it with any rocks yet, but should work just fine. It's big enough and there is enough run out in the axel that it can bump up against the case a bit, but don't think that will cause too much of a problem other than a loss of paint. Let me know if you want to try one out.

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks for the offer, Jeff. I have enough tumbler capacity in my giant homemade tumbler that I really don’t need to use the National Geographic tumbler. I bought it just to make a few videos since so many people buy them. I’m not sure if there would be much interest in a video on altering it unless people could get parts to do the modification themselves. Since most people don’t have 3D printers, they couldn’t easily get their on pulley. You’re not planning to sell them, are you?

[@nathanverzinskie9582]

I got my rook tumbler for my birthday I love it

[@suzettecalleja3122]

My favorite in the slide show is the first one.

[@kimberlybeach5646]

What kind of rock is the first one in the slideshow, I fell in love with it

[@MichiganRocks]

I wish I knew. I've been trying to figure out what that stuff is for years. There's a lot of it in Lake Superior. The problem with it is that it usually has a layer of some sort of softer mineral that doesn't tumble well. Every once in awhile I find a piece that seems to be solid throughout and it comes home with me.

[@kimberlybeach5646]

@@MichiganRocks well it’s a really cool rock

[@MichiganRocks]

@@kimberlybeach5646 I agree.

[@kimberlybeach5646]

@@MichiganRocks have you ever cut one up

[@MichiganRocks]

@@kimberlybeach5646 I don't think so.

[@chrisgoldbach4450]

The aluminum from rock shed makes such a difference. As well as the pellets to fill voids.

[@MichiganRocks]

Yep, good polish and ceramic media makes all the difference.

[@nancydrazil3669]

I just bought that tumbler. Your rocks are beautiful. Thank you for explaining every step. If I wanted to make jewelry can I drill a hole in my finished rocks?

[@MichiganRocks]

Sure. Here's an older video, but I think I explained how I drill holes in it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5_HaoOOra-Eibs

[@milesnn]

Awesome awesome great knowledge your sharing,thank u

[@disabledvetnralifer932]

Thanks again sir...

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome again.

[@thepurplecraftshack3075]

Hi love your channel. I have a question. I went to louisiana and rock hunted with the gravel bar hopper. Got lots of crowley agates. What do you think about tumbling them. They are pretty wavey and full of different crevices. I also want to cut them. Any ideas or have you dealt with agates like that. Ty

[@MichiganRocks]

I can't really help you with that because I have never tumbled that sort of agate. How about throwing a couple in with another batch to see how they turn out?

[@thepurplecraftshack3075]

@@MichiganRocks ty I might do that

[@RJDCR]

nice one

[@mm74.ds24]

Nice insight on this tumbler especially in regards to high speeds and time reduction. I'm wondering if I could jury rig it with a potentiometer to slow the motor. Maybe 3d print a gear adapter that would reduce speed.

[@MichiganRocks]

Take a look at the pinned comment on this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5ulpY1qYq-bm6M There's a link there to another video where someone slowed it down electronically. I could have linked directly to his video, but I thought you might like to see what's going on inside the tumbler first. I have also gotten comments from people who have just printed larger pulleys, although there's not a lot of room for a bigger pulley.

[@jackburns804]

No ceramics in Stage one? That because they are already wave tumbled? Sorry if already addressed.

[@MichiganRocks]

No, it's because it wears out the ceramics too quickly and isn't necessary, even if it's crushed rock. You want the rocks rubbing against each other as much as possible in the first stage to wear them down. The grit is better used between rocks, rather than between ceramics or between ceramic and rock.

[@azdigger4843]

I like your videos so I subscribed. I am an avid prospector, and am starting to get into rocks as well now. I just ordered a 3lb Thumblers Tumbler (AR-1) as a starter, and it should be in this coming week. Question: I see people say you should open the container every so often because of gasses that build up? Not so sure I believe that, but wanted to ask someone who knows more than I do, and has some experience. You can't always believe everything out there. Thanks in advance.

[@MichiganRocks]

I have had tumblers running for about ten years, pretty much nonstop. My big homemade tumbler holds two twelve pound barrels and eight three pound barrels. In all that tumbling, I have only had gas build up a handful of times. They were all from either glass or obsidian. I'm sure there are other materials that cause a gas build up, but I haven't run across them. Someone just told me that the Harbor freight tumblers actually have this advice right in the directions. They say to open the barrel every day. That's just silly. When you open the barrel, it's important that you clean the rim really well so it doesn't leak, especially on your tumbler. Those barrels tend to leak even if you do everything right. I have one. If you're tumbling glass or obsidian, just keep an eye on the bottom of the barrel. If it starts bulging a lot, let the pressure off. Otherwise, I'd suggest not opening it.

[@nasak1111]

3:36 ❤

[@AnneMRast]

What vibrating tumbler do you recommend I can’t find that info in the videos I’ve watched. You are an inspiration and do gorgeous work!

[@MichiganRocks]

The only one I have ever used is my Lot-O. I really like it. Both Kingsley North and the Rock Shed carry them, although they’re in short supply lately. Send a note to one of them and ask them to hold one for you. Links to those two stores are in the description of this video.

[@AnneMRast]

@@MichiganRocks Just bought a dual Lortone tumbler and the grits and ceramics you recommend, all from the two shops you recommend. Thanks for inspiring me!!

[@MichiganRocks]

@@AnneMRast I hope you get some really good results. let me know if you have questions.

[@AnneMRast]

@@MichiganRocks awesome! Will do and hopefully will send good pics 🤞

[@Scifisarah]

My husband got me the Dan & Darci tumbler on Amazon which I think is probably very similar to this one. I also picked up the Harbor Freight double tumbler this past week. Do you think I should use the single fast tumbler to do the first stage on rocks, since it is so fast, and then use the double Harbor Freight tumbler for the other stages? Also, do you have any advice on tumbling Septarian/Lighting Stones? We picked up a bunch in South Haven and I need to tumble them but wasn't sure if they need a different method than typical Michigan beach rocks.

[@MichiganRocks]

I would use those two tumblers exactly as you suggested. Keep the slower one for the later stages. I have not tumbled lightning stones yet, although I do have a few that I plan to tumble. I have heard that they're very soft and that they shouldn't be tumbled with other types of rocks. One person told me that they tumbled them, but then hand to shine them up after. I'm not sure if he used a buffing wheel or hand sanded them. Maybe I'll do a video on them one of these days.

[@Scifisarah]

@@MichiganRocks I threw one in with the second stage of grit with other beach rocks and it does seem like it ground down quite a bit. It has about 5 days left of the polish so I'll see how it turns out with that. It seemed very nice and smooth after the prepolish.

[@lyndaorm5076]

Why did you not add any ceramic pieces to the first stage?

[@MichiganRocks]

The first stage is for shaping the rocks and removing any holes and cracks. You want as much grinding to take place as possible. If the grit is getting broken down between two pieces of ceramic or between ceramic and rock, it's being wasted. I want the grit to always between two rocks so it's doing as much grinding as possible. The other big reason is that the first stage wears down the ceramic a lot faster. Ceramic media is not free, so I like to make it last as long as possible. A friend of mine who is the best tumbler I know doesn't use it in the second stage either, just to make it last longer. The problem with that is that you need to add in extra rocks for stage two and then remove some for the last two stages to make room for the ceramics. Then you have to keep track of those rocks that you removed so they can be combined with other rocks that were removed from other batches. That's just too much bother for me, so I just start ceramics in the second stage.

[@coffeebeforemascara]

The subtle banded quartz one is totally worthy of being set as a ring or wire-wrapped pendant. Some tumbled into natural cabochons

[@MichiganRocks]

I do like when white quartz has some very subtle banding in it.

[@conniemiller2286]

Hello. Love your videos and I learn so much. I have this same tumbler with the three speeds. As you tumble, do you keep on the first speed for every stage? I did watch your video on the Nat Geo instructions and I learned quite a bit from that also. Thank you for your help.

[@MichiganRocks]

Yes, I only use the slowest speed.

[@vincentandrew4717]

Thank you for the quality content! I have to get some aluminum oxide polish. I started with the nat geo since it was convenient, but it doesn't get anywhere close to the shine with the included grits. If you have a list of materials to share that'd be super helpful!

[@MichiganRocks]

I use grit from the Rock Shed and Kingsley North. I buy most of my coarse grit from Kingsley North and all the other grits from the Rock Shed. I'm in the process of testing the finer grits from Kingsley and so far, they seem good too. There are links to both places in the description. The Rock Shed's grits are in my Amazon storefront too, but sometimes they're out of stock there.

[@letymendez9894]

Hola buenos dias Excelente las piedras colores todo le gustan

[@ukymon]

No need for the borax rinse after final polish? Thanks for your videos.

[@MichiganRocks]

I've tried that, but they never seem to get any shinier. I do a borax rinse at the end of some batches of rocks just to make sure that the polish is out of any little holes or cracks. For most rocks, I'm able to remove those holes and cracks in the first stage so it's not an issue at the end.

[@MrChubbyHubby.]

Cool video Rob, thank you for sharing. Do you know if anyone has tried sand blasting media?

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm not sure what all the different materials used for sand blasting, but one is aluminum oxide. That's a great grit for tumbling. It's better to start with silicon carbide to do the grinding, but then you want to switch to aluminum oxide. Even very coarse stuff is used sometimes.

[@richnesto3518]

Great video! The rocks turned out great. Just got my first tumbler and even with a four step grit/polish they were still dull looking but I think it was the amout of grit because they don't give you very much with those machines and also no ceramic beads. It came with about six acorn size rocks that were mostly tumbled already and a handful of gravel and that was supposed to be one tumbler full I added both bags and still didn't even get to the half way point so I added a few of my own. The tumbler also only tumbled on one speed that was alarmingly fast and loud so I'm going to have to figure out how to get better results with it any suggestions? It did seem to tumble the edges off of the rough fairly quickly and nice but also broke some.

[@MichiganRocks]

I had very similar results when I followed the directions. I have a lot of suggestions for this machine in these two videos. You might find something in them that helps you out. National Geographic Tumbler Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWiUiZWQidGEra8 How to use a Nat Geo Tumbler: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaS3lGShjbqohtE

[@zandiwagner4985]

Am looking for you on Facebook and trying to subscribe. Am needing the links for tumbling media. We can not get the corn husk or graphites in our area. Think this is crazy because we live in a geologically significant area. My husband and I are learning so much from your videos. Thank you for teaching us more than we knew.

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't have a public Facebook page, but there are links to my two favorite lapidary shops in the descriptions of all of my videos. Kingsley North and the Rock Shed are the places I buy almost everything.

[@Xindi86]

Thank you so much for this wonderfully detailed video, I gotta say, I do really already learn a lot from your video's. So thank you very much 🙏🏻 I would've loved to see the rocks more between the stages, or maybe just a couple of them so that we could see them evolve, in between stages and really learn how they look in between. You rock :) Oh I do have a question about the tumblers, this National Geographic seems a bit less costly, at least over here and I was also looking at the Lortone 33B which seemed the best choice for me from another video of yours. My question cost wise, would it be better to go for the NG one, with one barrel, then go a little faster through the ceramic and motor or would you advice to save up a little bit and go for the 33B? I hope its okay for me to ask. Have a good day :)

[@MichiganRocks]

I much prefer the Lortone 33B, but they're hard to find right now. I'm going to be testing a Highland Park Lapidary tumbler soon, which seems like it might be a good option too. I don't feel comfortable recommending it before I have tried it, but a friend of mine has several and likes them.

[@Xindi86]

@MichiganRocks Thank you for the response! I'll be taking my time, so I'm curious about what you'll find out. Thanks again! Edit: I've found only 1 of the 33B available over here, for approximately $400(+) + $21 shipping.

[@msv2534]

Can aquarium ceramics be used? what is the grain size of your ceramics?

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't know what aquarium ceramics are, so I don't know. The large size starts out 3/8" x 5/8" and gets smaller every time you use it. I mix that with small ceramics measuring 5/32" x 5/16".

[@sal8454]

I love rocks!

[@MichiganRocks]

Me too!

[@mylamberfeeties875]

I have been picking agates off the Bandon beaches for more than 30 years I have so many. I tumble only my less pretty one's.

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't tumble most of my own agate finds either. I like them natural.

[@mylamberfeeties875]

@@MichiganRocks 😍💕me too I have so many different drift woods and blue agates, glass balls and old bottles. My parents picked up so many different glass balls back in the 70s I even have a brown one. 😆

[@kd7ign]

How do you tell a unique rock? Unique up on it. 🙃

[@MichiganRocks]

An oldie, but a goodie.

[@karenearly-horne8210]

How much does your tumbler run ,if I might ask

[@MichiganRocks]

Are asking how often it’s plugged in and turning or how much it costs? I paid $90 for this tumbler, but I have a bunch of other tumblers too. I have been running various tumblers almost nonstop for about ten years, so they run all the time.

[@karenearly-horne8210]

@@MichiganRocks the price .that's not bad at all .me that'd be perfect cuz I'd like to learn how to polish them .I plan on moving home to Michigan by next summer so that would be a good hobby for me

[@MichiganRocks]

@@karenearly-horne8210 Here's where I bought mine: www.rockshed.com/rock-shop/rock-tumblers-supplies/rock-tumblers/rotary-rock-tumblers/lortone-model-33b-twin-3lb-capacity-barrels/ Kingsley North is another place I shop. I do get a small commission from Kingsley if you use this link. kingsleynorth.com?ref=robertabram1& Both places have been in short supply since Covid hit, but send them an email and they should be able to hold one for you.

[@billpierce3734]

I've read adding a little mineral oil to the final tumble will shine them up really nice. Would I use borax in the tumble before mineral oil,or by using borax would not need mineral oil?

[@MichiganRocks]

If you tumble your rocks well, mineral oil is not necessary. If you have to coat your rocks with anything, then you haven’t really been successful in tumbling. Borax is just one way of cleaning your rocks between stages. Shaved Ivory soap works, and so does a squirt of dish detergent.

[@billpierce3734]

Thank you for your prompt response. All the rocks I'm using come from the ocean on the New Hampshire coast.As with yours they are nicely smooth and rounded,but I'd ideally like for them to shine.Its my first time tumbling and I will keep you posted on my progress. Your videos are entertaining and informational,I'm enjoying them very much and am learning more with each view.Im hoping these will polish up very nice.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@billpierce3734 With a little patience they will. There are some rocks that are too soft to take a shine, but most beach rocks that I try to tumble turn out great. I find a lot of satisfaction in getting rocks so smooth that they look wet, even without putting something like mineral oil on them. By the way, I don't tumble my own Lake Superior agate finds and I have soaked some of them in mineral oil. So it's not like I have never used mineral oil. I just don't think there's a place for it in tumbling.

[@okboomer6201]

First. Go Green Go White! Yay MSU!

[@MichiganRocks]

Them's fightin' words!

[@stuartcook9030]

What's best method of drilling a hole in a polished rock

[@MichiganRocks]

You need diamond bits. I have a Dremel with a drill press attachment that I use to drill 1 mm holes in rocks. For bigger holes, I use a wood working drill press and diamond core bits. In either case, you need to hold the rock under water in some sort of dish and pump the drill up and down so it has time to cool. About 1-2 seconds down, then back up to cool. It's a slow process.